Notts Hope To Roll Over The Stones

Notts County face another Tuesday evening on the road as Wealdstone await the Magpies at Grosvenor Vale.

Notts enter this fixture off the back of another short absence from Vanarama National League action due to Barnet’s request to have the game at Meadow Lane postponed this past Friday. This was considered a huge shame for everyone involved with the club due to the fact the evening was scheduled to be one in which all could pay their respects to the late, great Colin Slater MBE. With this postponement transpiring, it meant the Magpies’ last outing was their 2-1 victory over Eastleigh, where Elisha Sam’s brace ensured Ian Burchnall’s side secured their Buildbase FA trophy fifth round tie away to FC Halifax Town. The absence away from the league saw Notts drop to seventh place, increasing the importance of a victory this evening ahead of playing their two games in hand on the rest of the league chasers. The Magpies travel to Ruislip injury and suspension free, with Sam Slocombe set to maintain his place between the sticks due to confirmation that Anthony Patterson will not be returning to the club again this season. Full-back Joel Taylor and winger Aaron Nemane are both members of the travelling squad following the pair’s return from injury in the victory over Eastleigh. Although the news of Anthony Patterson unable to return to the club is unfortunate to say the least, the fact the squad is now back to full strength gives the Magpies faithful much more to smile about now.

As for tonight’s hosts, they come into the fixture off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Woking. A typical bottom-half clash was determined by goals from Inih Effiong and Jamar Loza, ensuring the Stones will be questing for a swift response against the Magpies tonight. These two sides have met already this season, back at Meadow Lane at the beginning of September. Also played on a Tuesday evening, a bullet header from Notts captain Kyle Cameron meant that Wealdstone travelled home empty handed losing 3-2. Wealdstone have only won once in their last seven games, that victory coming against the league’s bottom club Dover Athletic. Along this poor run of form, Needham Market eliminated Stuart Maynard’s side out of the Buildbase FA Trophy in a game nobody expected the Vanarama National League outfit to fall to defeat in. Also, within the duration of the poor run of form, the Stones have conceded 14 goals, only scoring on six occasions. It goes without saying how important a win would be for Wealdstone this evening but edging past one of the league’s strongest outfits is a task not many have accomplished thus far this season.

So, what can you expect from this fixture?

I would expect the contest to be closer than most will be imagining. Notts County have struggled going away to the places in which possess hostile atmospheres so far this campaign and tonight’s atmosphere will be no different. However, with Chesterfield not playing it is the perfect opportunity for the Magpies to close the gap further, edging closer to the top spot which is the goal for this season. This opportunity is one I fully expect Ian Burchnall’s side to take firmly with both hands.

My prediction: Wealdstone 0-2 Notts County.

Current form:

Wealdstone: LLLWL
Notts County: WWWWW

Probable Line-ups:

Wealdstone: Wickens, Stevens, Cook, Mascoli, Okimo, Tavares, Dyer, Charles, Cooper, Fasanmade, Umerah.
Notts County: Slocombe, Chicksen, Brindley, Lacey, Roberts, Francis, Vincent, Palmer, Rodrigues, Roberts, Wootton.

Venue & time: